The most widely-supported pledge, Grover Norquist’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge, has the signatures of 276 Republicans in Congress.

In response to pledge mania, Bill Maher used his “New Rules” segment on Friday night’s episode of Real Time to advocate the signing of the “American Eagle Liberty Bell Ronald Reagan You’re A Homo If You Don’t Sign It Pledge.”

“2011 seems to be shaping up to be the year of ‘The Pledge,’ as the current crop of Republican wannabes have signed pledges for everything from women in combat, prayer in school, handguns, cap and trade,” said Maher. “And Newt Gingrich says he’ll get a pizza to my house in under 30 minutes. And keep it warm in his car by f***king his mistress on the box.”

A key point in Maher’s alternative pledge? Signers must admit that “America’s best days are behind us.”

About the Author

Roxanne Cooper is the publisher of Raw Story. She has 20+ years experience in media management, marketing, and advertising and has held positions with AlterNet, the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, LA Weekly, San Francisco Bay Guardian, and Stars & Stripes. From 2004-2008, Roxanne published the popular political blog Rox Populi. She lives in San Francisco and you can follow her on Twitter at @AlterRox.